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Monica said she hopes to take the same path as other black artists who started their careers singing in churches, like Whitney Houston, Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin and Fantasia Barrino.

But, rather than moving into the commercial world of music like the global stars, Monica wants to carry on singing in churches and continue worshiping Go, she says.

Monica is known in the town for being the founder of Love Inspired, a registered charity that specialises in helping families in crisis.

"What I'm hoping from my performances and my albums and my music is to bring hope," she said.

Monica Dunbar believes she has what it takes to go all the way in the competition

"That's who I am. I will continue raising awareness of the foundation in whatever capacity, wherever I go, the foundation will always be in my heart."

The Burton mother explained that she has been gospel singing at the Triumphant Church of God, in South Uxbridge Street, Burton, since she was a teenager and says her father, Trueman Jones was her biggest inspiration.

She said: "My love for singing stems from my father.

"He used to sing all the time. He didn't come to church very often but he was a very humble man.

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"He would pray daily at least twice a day, and before he used to pray, he would sing.

"He had a beautiful voice, and a voice that you couldn't help but listen to because it was so sincere and gospel music is all about feel."

This is the first time she has entered a singing competition, and she believes she has what it takes to go all the way.

She missed the first and second deadlines to enter the competition, and is taking it as a sign that the entry deadline was then extended a third time to allow her time to take part.

Monica Dunbar has sang at the Triumphant Church of God, in Burton since a teenager

She explained: "Because of the timing, when you are a Christian, you work by divine timing and God opens the doors, but they open very quickly and the timing in all this; basically I missed the first and second deadlines for the competition.

"As soon as I met the musicians and I had the links I knew it was all going to come together.

"It was done then within two days, the video was done, my song was done. I had only just met the musician 24 hours ago, then 24 hours later we were there, recording it.

"I'm not being arrogant, but I've always known that one day, and people have told me over the years that I would have my platform to not only write music, but to perform and do what I feel is my destiny."